Airspaces Flashcards
6 Types of National Airspaces
A, B, C, D, E, G
Alpha Airspace
-features
-18,000 to 60,000
-IFR only
-Communicated as flight levels: FL 180, FL 190, FL 200, FL 220
-Commercial airspace
-Altimeter is standardized to 29.92
Bravo Airspace
-features
-how do you know you are clear to enter?
-must have equipment
-largest and busiest airport space
-tower controlled
-like an upside down wedding cake down to ground level
-blue concentric circles or spaces on Foreflight with altitudes for each ring
-altitudes can be expressed as a fractional number 100 over sfc, meaning 1000 feet to surface
-to enter, must hear “your call sign + clear to enter the Bravo”
-can enter as a student pilot with special training except for “dirty dozen”
Need:
-Mode C transponder (pink circle outside Bravo is Mode C Veil, showing area you have to have transponder in)
-two way radio
-max airspeed: 200 knots below shelves, 250 knots within
-VFR requirements: 3 miles of visibility/ clear of clouds
Charlie Airspace
-features
-how do you know when you can enter
-must have equipment
-like Bravo but less commercial traffic (ex: Midway)
-tower controlled
-magenta colored circles
-upside down wedding cake
-altitude written as a fraction T over a number or sfc. This is to the top of the Charlie (where a Bravo begins for ex:) to the surface or to that number such as T/19 is to 1900.
To enter:
-call sign only
Need:
-contact 20 nm out
-2 way radio communication
-mode c transponder (cannot vertically overfly the Charlie without a mode c transponder even though it is above the Charlie technically)
-200 knots or below to be in shelf
-VFR= (3 152) 3 statue miles of visibility, 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, 2000 feet horizontal of clouds
Delta Airspace
-features
-how do you know when you can enter
-must have equipment
-towered
-Janesville is example of delta
-surface to 2500 AGL unless indicated
-altitude is indicated by blue square with numbers inside, 25 inside a square means to 2500 AGL
-altitude blue square box has a negative number inside, means up to but not include that elevation. Ex: -15 means altitude UP TO 1499 but NOT including 1500
-tower may close (A/FD in Forefront for airport) and then becomes a different category of airspace
To enter:
-say call sign only
-IF say “stay clear of the delta” are not cleared
-IF say call sign and “standby”, are cleared into the delta but need to stay outside until given further directions
Contact:
-10-15 nm out
-VFR= (3 152) 3 statue miles of visibility, 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, 2000 feet horizontal of clouds
-Two way communication
Echo Airspace
-features
-E is for everywhere! Anywhere that is not an otherwise specified airspace is considered Echo.
-Magenta shaded vignette on Forefront, large elongated spaces
-Starts at 700 AGL
-Not tower controlled unless on IFR
-No entry requirements
Gulf Airspace
-features?
-how to enter?
-required equipment?
-G is for ground. Can extend up to 14,500 MSL
-No entry requirements
-Not towered
-Area below tiered upside down cake for airspace Bravo, Charlie, and Delta.
Special Use Airspace
-what is it?
-entry requirements?
-separates military training space from IFR traffic
-will be given altitude minimums and maximums, may give hours it is hot, check NOTAMS for details
-if cold, can enter anytime. If hot, cannot enter
Controlled Firing Areas
-features
-requirements for entry
-military practice firing areas
-military has spotter to watch for traffic so not our responsibility to watch for
-area not depicted on sectionals (IFR or VFR)
Prohibited and Restricted Airspace
-entry requirements
-cannot enter at any time
Alert Airspace
-entry requirements
-area of special training
-no entry requirements but be alert in area
Warning Areas
-features
-requirements for entry
-area across from a border, prevents individuals from entering the country unannounced
-extends 3nm from coast/ US border
-must be on a flight plan to enter area
National Security Airspace/ SIFRA
-features
-requirements for entry
-SIFRA (special flight rules area) such as Washington D.C.
-Cannot enter/fly through without special online training
-some SIFRA can never enter even with special training
Terminal Radars Service Area (TRSA)
-features
-gray circles on Foreflight
-surround a Delta that is busier than normal Delta but less busy than a Charlie
-gives tower enhanced radar to assist with extra traffic
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)
-features
-entry requirements
-restrictions for events such as parades, big games, firefighting aircraft, rocket launches,
-Washington DC, will be posted ahead of time and is valid from a point of time specified.
-Red is active, yellow is not active.
-POTUS TFR and Vice President has a TFR as well that travels wherever they are located.
-Buehl Air Force base always active because bomber and jet pilots are there always training.
-can enter/ pass through only if ATC or controlling agency say you can enter
VFR Flight Paths
-3 types
-like highways to navigate through special clearance areas and various airspace classes
3 types:
1.Flyways- most loosely defined, tell us the best route and altitude to stay out of restricted air spaces
2. Corridors- section of restrictive airspace is cut out to allow VFR traffic to pass through without explicit clearance
3. Transitions- appear as maroon arrows, need specific clearance to enter, must maintain specific altitudes
VFR Sectional Charts
-use?
-Roadmap, how we don’t hit things, shows isogonic lines
-tango lines (blue) to use when going long distances like a highway
-shows airspace, congested and non congested areas
-sectional aeronautical chart is a cheat sheet for how to read the sectional charts
VORTAC
-use?
-service that can tune COMs to get updated weather information and to activate flight plans
-secondary to ATC/Approach not in place of
-if VORTAC is in place: (channel is military, we do not use)
-number INSIDE box on sectional= listen and receive on
-number OUTSIDE box on sectional= communicate on
-set COMs to both so can listen and communicate
VFR Sectional has Red Box
“CTC MADISON APP WITHIN 20 NM”
-If approaching from that direction, follow those directions.
-Can have from left and a different one on the right so follow those directions within the middle line running north and south.
TAC Charts
-purpose
Terminal Area Charts
-takes all of the busiest Bravo charts with a white box around them and blows up their details so they are seen on their own map
Yellow areas on VFR Sectional
-what are they?
-minimum requirements?
-areas where lights are brightest, happen to also be usually highly congested areas
-maintain 1000 ft AGL these areas
Non-yellow areas minimum flight level when observed on VFR Sectionals
-500 ft AGL
Blue Number with Exponent Numbers on VFR Sectional
-name?
-meaning?
MEF- Maximum Elevation Figures
Must fly at or above this elevation to avoid hitting an obstacle.
-Ex: 2 with small 5 = 2500 ft minimum elevation
Alternate Flight Planning
-when do we need to file an alternate?
-considerations when flight planning and deciding on alternates?
-VFR: no alternate needed, IFR: alternate must be filed with the flight plan
-considerations:
Fuel
Maintenance
NOTAMS
Lighting
TFRs (temporary flight restrictions)
Closed runways
